June 30, 2010

Do you guys remember the Summer-Ready Body Challenge I recently launched? It was a six-week cleanse a group of us did to slim down for summer. Well, when I created a facebook group for us, nearly 90 people accepted the challenge! I couldn't believe the turn-out. What a delightful surprise!

For those of you who joined me, you know how powerful this program is. Each week we focused on a new goal, everything from detoxing the kitchen of all temptation, to vision boards and affirmations for a perfect body! It was so much fun... a cleanse for the mind, body and soul. I personally lost an additional 4 pounds, on top of the weight I've already lost since going raw! (See My Weight-Loss Before & After Video.)

After receiving such an amazing response, I thought I'd consolidate the six-week cleanse into a shorter 2-week version! The result... a brand new, revised SpaFusion Cleanse! Now you can enjoy this easy, refreshing program anytime of year. The program is packed with everything you need (recipes, tips, guide, sample days, etc).

You've never done a cleanse like this! For two weeks you'll enjoy beautiful, refreshing recipes inspired by Spa Cuisine (light, fresh and simple). It's like having a mini-vacation right in your own kitchen! And unlike most raw food recipes that typically mix nuts/seeds and oil all in the same recipe, SpaFusion recipes use little or no oil, and only one fat ingredient per recipe to keep them light. Plus, there are no complex or dehydrated recipes... so it's super easy!
The program includes 2 ebooks:

SpaFusion Recipe ebook - 30 recipes!

SpaFusion Weight-Loss Guide ebook

FREE subscription to the Raw Radiance eZine

I'll share with you some helpful tips I’ve picked up along the way that have helped me slim down over 35 lbs! And I'll even include my personal advice on how to effectively overcome emotional eating, while still enjoying and taking pleasure in eating!

With 30 delicious SpaFusion recipes, I can't think of a more delightful way to rejuvenate and hit the reset button for a healthy, fresh new start!

SpaFusion Cleanse Program ($19.95)

(IMPORTANT: You will receive the program materials
within 24 hrs of purchase.)

June 2, 2010

I keep coming across this strange idea that food is not something to be enjoyed, but rather something to be consumed strictly for caloric needs. Food is perceived as nothing more than fuel for the body - not a means to entertain the mind or amuse our taste buds.

But I have to ask, is it really so wrong to enjoy a beautiful, healthy meal while still feeling comforted and nourished on more than a purely physical level? And is it productive to suppress our natural desire to experience pleasure from eating?

Like sex, food is an inherent drive for pleasure. This biological mechanism is built in for a very good reason. It is nature’s way of reminding us not to forget to nourish our bodies, ensuring our survival. Nature calls us to eat through desire, and rewards us with pleasure! What a brilliant and beautiful concept. (Not to be confused with the behavior of using food to reward ourselves.)

The pleasure experience is biologically designed to reinforce and encourage repeated behavior. This is true as it relates to both sex and food. Otherwise there would be little incentive to procreate or to take time for sufficient calorie replenishment throughout the day.

Why else would nature create such a variety of vibrant, colorful and flavorful foods, if not to delight the senses and keep us coming back for more? Nature intended for us to enjoy and take pleasure in eating by biological design. It’s all very beautifully orchestrated to lure us in for nourishment.

We enjoy food outside of simply satisfying our hunger, much in the same way we enjoy sex outside of just procreation. Cravings for food and sex are natural; we shouldn’t be so quick to suppress these desires! If anything, we should embrace them with admiration, as they serve a very unique biological purpose.

To say that eating for pleasure and comfort is somehow wrong is like saying that sex is a sin. The trick is not to engage in these behaviors in access or in a destructive way. Giving ourselves the freedom to express and enjoy these desires in a moderate, healthy manner is what makes or breaks it.

As long as the foods we indulge in are healthy, who says it is wrong to feel pleasure and comfort? Sure, pizza and chips don’t count, but a healthy, comforting bowl of raw chili, minus the guilt, certainly does! If we can stay present, why not soak up the pleasure and comfort? It only turns destructive once we start eating out of boredom, or to fill an emotional void. Seeking healthy alternatives for cravings is far more productive to our overall well-being, than living in a constant state of self-imposed deprivation.

Ideally, we should aim to enjoy healthy foods that also satisfy our taste buds and desires. One way this can be achieved is by embracing nature's infinitely delicious variety. In doing so, we naturally start to gravitate toward whole, natural options as we create a positive association with food.

Health is not just about how we fuel the body or the calories we take in; it is equally about creating a beautiful, healthy and sacred experience. It’s about enjoying and savoring the moment, rather than punishing ourselves with strict dietary rules and guidelines. So give in to nature's sweet perfection, and indulge once in a while. It really is okay!

For thoughts on how this relates to emotional eating, see my article Emotional Eating in Purely Delicious Magazine, Spring 2010 Issue!

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Eating a nutrient rich diet of whole natural foods is the only way to ensure lasting radiant health. When you nourish the body with a vibrant living cuisine, as nature intended, you become an expression of radiant health. Raw cuisine is in fact nature's secret to youthful longevity.

Disclaimer: The nutritional content provided on this site is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is strongly recommended consulting a health care professional if you are looking to change your diet and lifestyle.